Born in 1812 in Portsmouth Charles DiCkens was one of the greatest novelists of the Victorian era. He created some of the most intriguing fictional characters in literature. The author’s success began with the 1836 publication of The Pickwick Papers following which he became an international celebrity. Known for his humour satire and incisive representation of society through his characters his literary triumphs include A Tale of Two Cities David Copperfield Oliver Twist and Great Expectations. A literary colossus of his time he wrote 15 novels 5 novellas hundreds of short stories and non fiction articles. He even performed for Queen Victoria in 1851. Such was the charisma of the author that the term ‘Dickensian’ is still used to describe situations reminiscent of his narratives. Literary stalwarts like Leo Tolstoy George Orwell and G.K. Chesterton admired him for his comedy prose style and realism. The quintessential Victorian author died in 1870 and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
<p>Charles Dickens? inimitable classic A Tale of Two Cities is a heart breaking tale set in London and Paris during the time of the French Revolution. This book brings out the plight of the peasants and the grave injustices heaped upon them by the French aristocracy. In the midst of it all are caught up the lives of the main protagonists Charles Darnay Sydney Carton and Lucie Manette ? the woman they both love.</p>
